The Writer's Life 3/21 - Old School

RIP Chuck Bednarik, 89, who played Center & LB for the the Philadelphia Eagles for 14 seasons. He was the league's last true two-way player. In the 1960 championship game vs the Packers, he played an astonishing 58.5 minutes, and tackled FB Jim Taylor at the ten to end it. That, however, was not his most famous hit. That came against Frank Gifford and almost ended the Giants' WR's career. The son of Slovakian immigrants, Bednarik was named to eight Pro Bowls, and was inducted into the NFL and the College Football Hall of Fame. His nickname was "Concrete Charlie," not for his prowess on the field but because he sold concrete in the off-season in those days before pro sports paid well. The most impressive aspect of his life occurred outside sports -- he flew 30 combat missions as a gunner in WWII. In this case, the cliche "They don't make 'em like that anymore" - truly applies. (Facts from Yahoo Sports)


I've only been to Starbucks twice, each time succumbing to the yen for a hot chocolate. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I applaud the success of its business. They don't twist anybody's arm to buy those expensive brews. I know its executives mean well by encouraging their employees to engage customers in a dialogue on race, but it is a silly idea. I've said it before -- the conversation on race can be accomplished in one sentence: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." 


Microsoft will soon be phasing out Internet Explorer, perhaps within a month. Figures -- my Firefox browser is beset by pop-ups. My IE is not. I believe it is because it is an old version of it. There’s nothing to do but enjoy it while it lasts -- or buy a new computer.



The only good thing I can say about this latest snowfall is that the trees looked awesome. To clear the front of the old house I used a shovel my dad bought at least 50 years ago. It has a thin green blade that allows it get underneath the ice. Later, walking to Burger on 86th Street, I was chuckling as I pelted by moisture falling from branches, wires and the elevated train tracks. By noon the area in front of the Chase bank was dry and the floating book shop was in business. My thanks to Ralph, who bought Paul Weiss' Nature and Man, published in 1947. Bad News Billy pulled about at just about three, his car, which he left running, sounding very sick. His battery has been dying constantly. He has a piece of styrofoam tied to the front to keep water from getting into the radiator grill. Always kindhearted, he overpaid for Bill Phillips Body for Life, Twelve Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength. For once it was me who had to deliver bad news. He was unaware of the passing of his high school football coach, the legendary Vinnie O'Connor of St. Francis Prep, who died more than a month ago.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/pdxwsnt

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/